Democratic Republic of the Congo: Labor Minister Lukwebo announced the economy had created 13,000 jobs in 2012 while calling for more efforts to tackle youth unemployment. (Xinhua)

Guinea-Bissau: A parliamentary committee drafted a new roadmap for the country’s transition process, a prerequisite to the resumption of international aid. (Xinhua)

Mali: A court threw out a case against a journalist arrested on charges of libel in March after publishing a sensitive letter related to the ex-junta leader. (Xinhua)

AMERICAS

Region: The International Court of Justice in The Hague agreed to try Bolivia’s suit against Chile claiming rights to sea access which was lost to Bolivia in an 1879 war with Chile. (Xinhua)

Brazil: FM Nunes announced the country removed the limit on work visas granted to Haitian applicants due to the humanitarian needs of Haiti. (Xinhua)

Guatemala: One officer was killed after security forces clashed with protesters, who were holding a demonstration against a Canadian-owned mining project and had taken 23 officers hostage. (AFP)

Venezuela: Post-election tensions between members of the National Assembly set off a brawl between lawmakers leaving one opposition lawmaker injured. (AP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: Three British soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb during a routine patrol in the southern province of Helmand. (Reuters)

Korea, South: The government announced it was edging towards a deal with the North to allow for the return of the final employees at Kaesong who had stayed to settle unresolved issues including unpaid taxes and wages. (AFP)

Myanmar: A fresh round of riots targeting the country’s minority Muslim population left one dead and nine wounded in a small town north of the capital. (AFP)

Philippines: A spokesman for the New People’s Army decried the government’s unilateral termination of peace negotiations in favor of a military approach. (Xinhua)

Greece: Ferry and train services ground to a halt as the country’s main labor unions held a 24-hour strike protesting high unemployment and austerity policies. (AP)

Russia: Gunmen opened fire on police vehicles in the restive region of Dagestan, killing three officers and wounding two more. (AFP)

Turkey: Police officers and protesters clashed in Istanbul after authorities moved to prohibit traditional Labor Day rallies.( DPA)

United Kingdom: A report published by the government stated an independent Scotland would have to reapply to the EU and NATO and highlighted the potential damage the secession would do the country’s international reputation. (WSJ)

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq: UN Secretary General Ban called on security forces to exercise restraint in maintaining law and order and urged protesters to avoid violence. (Xinhua)

Iraq: A car bomb in al-Husseiniyah, east of Baghdad, killed three people and wounded nearly a dozen. (AFP)

Israel: Communications Minister Erdan said the government refuses to negotiate on the basis of 1967 lines after the Arab League modified its peace plan. (AFP)

Syria: The opposition SNC denounced threats from Hezbollah Head Hassan Nasrallah and warned against any intervention by the group or Iran. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cyber Security: Twitter issued a warning to media organizations to improve the security of their tweeting procedures after several high-profile attacks. (DPA)

Africa: The seventh ordinary session of the Cabinet Council of the Gulf of Guinea (CGG) will begin in Luanda, Angola (to 03MAY).

Americas: President Obama will visit Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to discuss security, immigration and trade; he will then meet Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla and other Central American leaders in Costa Rica (to 04MAY).

Nigeria: Anniversary of the Yelwa massacre, in which 630 Muslim nomads were killed by Christian militias – 2004.